Italy: earthquake could impact 1% national GDP

12-13,000 jobs are at risk, industrialists association

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 31 - The economic toll from the
earthquakes that have brought Italy's productive Emilia-Romagna
region to its knees could affect 10% of its GDP and 1% of the
country's, Italy's industrialists association Confindutria said
on Thursday. At least 500 plants suffered structural damage and
have lost equipment from the two earthquakes that struck on May
20 and last Tuesday. Approximately 12-13,000 jobs are at risk.

"Immediate and substantial government assistance is needed to
get the region working again," said the president of
Confindustria for Emilia-Romagna, Gaetano Maccaferri. "This is a
regional economic disaster with considerable impact on the
national economy," said Maccaferri. Interior Minister Annamaria
Cancellieri said on Thursday that the government could not
provide "precise estimates" until checks were completed by fire
department surveyors and companies. On Friday, Confindustria and
Civil Defence authorities will meet to outline procedures to
help businesses request surveys, inspections and damage
evaluations for government assistance.(ANSAmed).